9 This Adaptability is Scary
The City Square was a bit far from the inn we were sent to. So before I go there, I have to prepare and notify those soldiers. Maybe they can also employ those mercenaries at the inn.
There's this nagging feeling on me that if we don't resolve it tonight, we'll vanish when the morning comes.
I just hope Yuko is fine there.
I opened my system and looked at my current status. Maybe there's more hidden lines I haven't discovered yet.
[Level 1 Support Character System (23%)
Ability: Level 1 Adaptability ( 5%)
Contained Energy: Psyche Energy (75%)
Strength: 1.2(4.0)
Endurance: 1.5(4.3)
Intelligence: 3(3.6)
Supported List: Sugawara Yuko (1/1)
Support Bonus: Level 1 Psyche Boost
Number of Supported Individual: 1
Current Stats Bonus: 5% of the average stats of Supported Individuals
Skills:
Psyche Boost (3 charges left)
Knight Skill (1/2)
- Level 1 Movement Skill : Flash Step
Wizard Spell (1/2)
- Level 1 Wind Spell : Air Bullets
Masteries
- Level 1 Basic Sword Mastery (28%)
Status: +0.5 Stats(System Bonus), +0.8 Strength & Endurance(Hero's Party)]
Looking at my numerical stats, I got quite a lot. My strength and endurance more than doubled. But I doubt I can take on an expert at Adept-class. I might be able to stand my ground against them but there's no way I can endure their attacks head-on. That's how weak I am right now.
Tapping anything on that screen. Nothing valuable or hidden was triggered. I guess I'm trying to make it convenient for me but the reality was like this.
Each system can be leveled up to 5 before it can be upgraded. Maybe something new will appear there once I upgrade my System.
So, even if I find anything at the City Square. I need to inform Yuko.
I hate this feeling of weakness but I know, this is temporary. I have to persevere. After we're done in this world, the next hero I will support and his Otherworld will once again boost my prowess. Slowly, I'll be as strong as them even if I will somehow become a Jack of All Trades. I'll utilize everything to support them and to achieve my goal.
Arriving back at the inn, I could hear some unrest happening inside.
"The innkeeper and the workers are all gone!"
One of the mercenaries I saw earlier shouted. All the guests were already awake and that includes the 20 soldiers. When their supposed leader saw me, he went to my side.
"What's the situation?"
"All houses are empty. I have a hunch but I need to inform Yuko."
"Here. Use this."
He nodded and took out something from his sleeves
"What's this?"
The thing he handed to me looks like a scroll but it's different. This looks like a consumable item that will disappear when it is used.
"Short Distance Communication Scroll."
"I see. Thanks. You guys better be alert. This city is dangerous. These mercenaries might be a help to us."
The soldier nodded at me and then turned back to those still discussing. Surprisingly, that soldier somehow recognized me as one of the Hero's Party Members. What could the reason be? Could it be the previous fight?
I went outside but not far from the inn. Even if the scroll handed to me was something I only got aware of just now, my Adaptability worked its wonder making it something familiar for me to use.
Unfurling the scroll. I put it in front of me while trying to channel the World Energy present all around me.
Right. That energy was ever present in this world. The system and the skills were all a product of condensed World Energy. Just like how I could control the Psyche Energy back in the Pocket Dimension, controlling World Energy was also a possibility.
But storing it inside me was impossible or should I say unnecessary. Simply because the Support Character System that was made by the same type of energy was the one occupying the invisible space inside me and it's constantly getting filled up whenever I use a Skill or a Spell. Like an unlimited battery. My only problem was the cooldown of the Skill or Spell to use them again.
I noticed in the previous fight that the Adept Wizards and Knights will have their expression pale from exhausting the World Energy inside them. Their recovery rate is slower than mine.
My Adaptability made it possible for me to become something like a natural vessel for the energy. If not for the rule made by the mysterious 'The World', I might be stronger than how I am right now.
The scroll in my hand lit up and floated by itself. When it burned into ashes, something like a screen appeared from its place. And inside the screen, Yuko's face showed up.
"Yuko!"
I shouted and that got her attention. She's alone in some type of room. She's still wearing the same outfit she had earlier but her party members were not on her side.
"Dai-kun. What happened?"
"This city is strange. The citizens are gone. I have a hunch where they are but I decided to inform you first before I go there."
Hearing what I said, a hint of worry appeared on her face but it was immediately replaced by seriousness.
"Don't go, Dai-kun. If your hunch is the City Square then you're right. Reinys and the other two were separated from me. I'm in some sort of a room but it's better to call this a prison."
"I see. Then Yuko, how about rescuing you?"
She smiled at me before shaking her head.
"I don't need any rescuing. But Reinys and the others, please look for them. I'll go and settle the strange occurrence in this city."
Ah. Right. She's the Hero. She knew this world better than me. Especially the enemy we're facing.
I nodded at her giving her confirmation that I'll do what she asked.
"I'm your support. I'll do my best to support you. Go and get them. I'll look for the Princess and the other two. Take care Yuko."
"Yes. Believe in me Dai-kun. Give me a hug later."
"I'll give you anything you want later, just come back safe."
"Having you here with me in this foreign world is truly encouraging. Right. Convey my order to the soldiers, they are to standby inside that inn. Restrain anyone that will approach. And there must be some mercenaries there, recruit them and promise them a reward from me."
Yuko and the other Heroes were fighting alone in their own Otherworlds, and now there's me who can join them to carry even some of those burdens. I guess having a support really is a necessity for them. Being alone might be one of the reasons about their impending doom in their Otherworld.
Ending the Short Distance Communication. I went back to the inn and informed the soldier who gave me the scroll. He acknowledged Yuko's order. The noisy Inn became quiet all of a sudden, the name of the Hero is something everyone knew, even the lawless criminals knew her name. So being promised a reward, the mercenaries became enthusiastic. They willingly went under the Adept Soldiers.
Now that I'm done conveying Yuko's orders. I prepared myself to sneak inside the House Westcolt's Manor.
Checking my things and reducing the armor I'm wearing, retaining only those that cover my vitals and joints, I quietly moved towards the Manor Gate.
The guards doing the patrols were probably watching out for someone like me and not for residents. I wonder what really happened in this city that it turned this strange. Maybe I could ask Yuko about it after everything was resolved.
Approaching the Manor Gates, I noticed that the Guards earlier who blocked our entry were gone.
I quietly push open the small door at the side. It opened without any difficulty but this made me suspicious.
There's probably a trap behind the door. At times like this, what should I do?
Should I risk it or?
"You!"
While contemplating what to do, I was noticed by a patrolling guard coming from a corner. He drew a sword from his waist and immediately dashed towards me.
His speed was a bit slow compared to Adept Class. He's probably someone with a system that hasn't been upgraded yet.
He's at my level.
Realizing that. I immediately used Flash Step toward him. Before he could gather more attention to this place, I used Air Bullets at a point-blank range against him.
"Kuah!"
His armor was penetrated and a hole the size of a marble appeared from the middle of his chest.
His body flew backwards, twitched for a little before it stopped dead.
Ah. I killed someone.
I killed him but I neither felt any remorse nor guilt.
This Adaptability is scary.
But yeah. I should get used to this already.
This guy's appearance gave me the necessary condition to pass through that Manor Gate.
I could use his body as a decoy.
The night is getting deeper. I must hurry and do what Yuko asked of me, her support. My system's experience went up to 23% from the previous battle. Maybe I'll get more experience if I successfully did what my Supported Individual asked.
Ah. Here comes the Support Character. I will do what a Support should do.
